Theories of Democracy and Democracisation
Democracy is a powerful concept that can provoke emotions ranging from fear to admiration. In the context of modern political science, the term has largely been defined as a set of institutional arrangements that give citizens a voice and influence over decisions that affect their lives. This definition has helped to develop a wide range of theories about democracy and democratisation, which aim to explain how and why some countries move toward this form of government while others remain authoritarian.
One theory holds that the basic conditions for democratization are economic development and the growth of a large middle class. This middle class is seen as a stabilizing force that guards against the extremes of wealth and poverty. The idea is that when economic development produces an educated and entrepreneurial middle class, they will demand more influence over governance issues. This will create a pressure that will eventually overcome even the most repressive regimes. This theory also suggests that the process of democratization is a two-stage one that involves transition to democracy and consolidation of it. The initial transition is oriented around the overthrow of an authoritarian regime and the emergence of a democratic electoral system and procedures. The consolidation process is broader and longer in scope, involving the stabilization of democratic institutions and procedures. In general, the theory of democratization tends to view the consolidation stage as more important than the transition phase.
Other theories of democratisation hold that the process requires a certain level of cultural maturation in a country. This includes a tolerance of diversity, the belief that other citizens are basically trustworthy, and a respect for freedom and equality. There is no consensus on exactly what constitutes a democratic political culture, but most scholars agree that it is necessary for a society to democratize.
Still other theories of democratization argue that it cannot be imposed from outside a country without the favourable conditions mentioned above. The success of foreign-induced democratisation in the cases of Japan and Germany after World War II is often cited as an example of this, but the truth is that it rested to a great extent on both countries being homogeneous nations.
Neither of these approaches is without its drawbacks. The favourable-conditions approach tends to produce a long list of conditions that must be present for democratization to occur, making it difficult to produce a theoretical model of the process. In contrast, the elite-choice approach is more concise but may lack the richness of structural explanations. It is clear, however, that more work must be done to understand how to promote democracy and democratization in a way that will increase the likelihood of success. This will probably require greater involvement of civil-society organizations in the democratically advanced industrialized countries, as well as a willingness of these groups to support policies that will help democratic processes in less developed countries. Achieving these goals will require a concerted effort by the international community.
Democracy is a powerful concept that can provoke emotions ranging from fear to admiration. In the context of modern political science, the term has largely been defined as a set of institutional arrangements that give citizens a voice and influence over decisions that affect their lives. This definition has helped to develop a wide range of theories about democracy and democratisation, which aim to explain how and why some countries move toward this form of government while others remain authoritarian. One theory holds that the basic conditions for democratization are economic development and the growth of a large middle class. This middle class is seen as a stabilizing force that guards against the extremes of wealth and poverty. The idea is that when economic development produces an educated and entrepreneurial middle class, they will demand more influence over governance issues. This will create a pressure that will eventually overcome even the most repressive regimes. This theory also suggests that the process of democratization is a two-stage one that involves transition to democracy and consolidation of it. The initial transition is oriented around the overthrow of an authoritarian regime and the emergence of a democratic electoral system and procedures. The consolidation process is broader and longer in scope, involving the stabilization of democratic institutions and procedures. In general, the theory of democratization tends to view the consolidation stage as more important than the transition phase. Other theories of democratisation hold that the process requires a certain level of cultural maturation in a country. This includes a tolerance of diversity, the belief that other citizens are basically trustworthy, and a respect for freedom and equality. There is no consensus on exactly what constitutes a democratic political culture, but most scholars agree that it is necessary for a society to democratize. Still other theories of democratization argue that it cannot be imposed from outside a country without the favourable conditions mentioned above. The success of foreign-induced democratisation in the cases of Japan and Germany after World War II is often cited as an example of this, but the truth is that it rested to a great extent on both countries being homogeneous nations. Neither of these approaches is without its drawbacks. The favourable-conditions approach tends to produce a long list of conditions that must be present for democratization to occur, making it difficult to produce a theoretical model of the process. In contrast, the elite-choice approach is more concise but may lack the richness of structural explanations. It is clear, however, that more work must be done to understand how to promote democracy and democratization in a way that will increase the likelihood of success. This will probably require greater involvement of civil-society organizations in the democratically advanced industrialized countries, as well as a willingness of these groups to support policies that will help democratic processes in less developed countries. Achieving these goals will require a concerted effort by the international community.